Insight Vacations Tour Map

15 Days starts and ends in Athens PrintTour Style: Regional Journey
Europe 2018
Visits: Greece
This journey should top every traveller’s wish list. Explore the sun-kissed temples and time-worn towns of the mainland and visit two of the most romantic islands on earth, where relaxing on the beach or in local cafes is the order of the day.

Authentic Dining

Olympia: Join a local chef and savour the regional specialties in a fun, exciting introduction to Greek cooking.

Insight Experiences

Mycenae: Meet the artisans of a family-run pottery studio and learn about their unique traditional methods.

Top Rated Highlights

Athens: Ascend the Acropolis with a Local Expert to admire the Parthenon, built in 5th century B.C., as well as the smaller Temple of Athena Nike and the Porch of the Maidens.

Thermopylae: See the Leonidas Monument dedicated to the brave warrior and his 300 Spartans.

Meteora: With a Local Expert, visit one of the remarkable centuries-old monasteries of Meteora, teetering on towers of rock and arguably the most spectacular place to visit in Greece.

Delphi: With your Local Expert, walk to The Sacred Way once lined with offertory temples. See the reconstructed Athenian Treasury and pass the superb Polygonal Wall to reach the Temple of Apollo, where the people would seek divine wisdom from the mysterious Oracle.

Olympia: The stadium of Olympia hosted the ancient Olympic Games and the Heraia, the women's games in honour of Hera. See the Temple of Zeus, athlete's gymnasium and the stone marker where the sprint began.

Mycenae: Walk through the Lion Gate past the royal beehive-tombs where Schliemann uncovered golden treasure, while hearing tales of Agamemnon from your Local Expert.

Mykonos: Walk the winding cobbled streets of Mykonos town and see the three windmills guarding the old port.

Included Insight Services

Enjoy the comfort of Insight's luxury, air-conditioned, 40-seat coach with onboard washroom. Alternate vehicles without onboard washroom or 40 seats may be used on occasion.

On departures with 8 or more guests, personal radio headsets give you the freedom to wander during visits to famous highlights, without missing any of your Local Expert's fascinating commentary.

We carry your bags for you and promptly deliver them to your hotel door.

Hotel and restaurant tips are included - you'll never have to worry about how much to give, nor search for foreign currency. We also include all taxes and porterage charges at hotels.

Stay connected with friends and family with our complimentary coach and hotel Wi-Fi (where available).

From time to time, your Travel Director will enchant you with an Insight Flourish, which is a local specialty representing the destination.

Your stay on the islands is locally hosted. On departures with 10 or more guests, travel between islands is fully escorted.

Transportation on the islands is by air-conditioned coach or luxury minibus.

High-speed ferry transfers from Athens to Mykonos and Santorini. Ferry schedules and the availability of high-speed ferries may be affected by adverse weather conditions and other unforeseen circumstances. Porterage is not available on ferries.

Included one-way economy class flight from Santorini to Athens with transfers between airports and hotels.

Complimentary transfers from/to Athens Airport are available on arrival and departure days, or with additional accommodation booked through Insight Vacations.

Insight Vacations Tour Itinerary

An Insight host will meet you at the airport and take you to the hotel, where there is time to settle in and relax. At 19:00, join your Travel Director for a Welcome Reception, get to know your fellow travellers over a delightful evening of dinner and wine.(Dinner with Wine)

Day: 3

Athens, City of Gods.

Your exploration reveals the Temple of Zeus, the Temple of Wingless Victory and Hadrian’s Arch. Next, your Local Expert takes you to the Parthenon, built atop the Acropolis. Continue to Thermopylae, famous as the mountain pass where King Leonidas led his Spartan army, along with fellow Greek soldiers, into battle against the Persians in 480 B.C. See the memorial dedicated to Leonidas and his courageous Spartans, then on to your hotel in Kalambaka for dinner.(Buffet Breakfast / Dinner)

Day: 4

The pinnacles of Meteora.

With your Local Expert, visit the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Meteora, meaning 'in the air.' The massive pinnacles of smooth rock are ancient, yet could also be the setting for a futuristic science-fiction tale. Visit one of the monasteries, that adds to the strange and beautiful landscape and enjoy stunning views over the Peneios Valley. The rest of the day is at your leisure. Why not explore with a leisurely walk on the nature trails? Alternatively, you may wish to visit the Natural History Museum.(Buffet Breakfast)

Day: 5

The Sacred Way and onto Olympia.

Travel south, stopping at the foothills of Mount Parnassus. Ascend the Sacred Way of Delphi with your Local Expert, passing the Parian marble Treasury of the Athenians and Polygonal Wall. You'll approach the Temple of Apollo, where for 14 centuries the mysterious Oracle of Delphi breathed her enigmatic 'words'. Continue to Olympia where dinner is served in your hotel.(Buffet Breakfast / Dinner)

Day: 6

Ancient Olympia.

It's all in the name. Ancient Olympia is the site where the Ancient Olympic Games began in 776 B.C. in dedication to the god Zeus. See the Temple of Zeus, the athletes gymnasium and the stadium of Olympia. The starting and finishing markers for the sprint track are still marked by stones and there is time to capture your own memory with a photo at the starting line. In the evening, join a local chef for an entertaining cooking demonstration, followed by a dinner of authentic Greek flavours.(Buffet Breakfast / Dinner)

Day: 7

Mycenae and Nafplio.

Visit the ruined city of Mycenae with a Local Expert. Walk through the Lion Gate, visit the royal beehive-tombs and see the giant Cyclopean stones used to build the city walls. Later, meet the artisans and view beautiful works of art at a family-run pottery studio. Travel to the elegant town of Nafplio, known for its beautiful architecture, colour shops and cafes. Your journey continues following the shores of the Saronic Gulf to pass the Corinth Canal dividing the Peloponnesse and mainland Greece, and arriving in Athens. In the evening, enjoy a hearty dinner in true Greek style, complete with wine and good cheer.(Buffet Breakfast / Dinner with Wine)

An early departure takes you to the port of Piraeus where your high-speed ferry awaits to whisk you over to the Island of Mykonos, playground of the rich and famous. On arrival, you are transferred to your hotel.(Buffet Breakfast)

Day: 9

Mykonos Mystique

This day is the first of two glorious days at leisure. Explore the town with its winding maze of walkways, white-washed houses, magnificent windmills and uninhibited nightlife. Perhaps watch the sunset at Shirley Valentine Beach or take a short boat ride to Delos?(Buffet Breakfast)

Day: 10

Mykonos at Leisure.

Another day to explore or relax as you wish. Perhaps swim the endless array of dazzling beaches that surround the island? Or maybe enjoy a cocktail on the waterfront at Little Venice?(Buffet Breakfast)

Board the high-speed ferry bound for the truly beautiful island of Santorini. You are met at the port and transferred to your hotel.(Buffet Breakfast)

Day: 12

The Sunsets of Santorini.

With two more sun-drenched days on one of the most romantic islands on earth, you won't ever want to leave. Relax in clifftop restaurants, laze on the sun-soaked beaches or observe history unearthed at the site of Akrotiri. In the evening, you'll witness the first of the golden sunsets for which the island is famous.(Buffet Breakfast)

Day: 13

Santorini as you wish.

Another day to relax and unwind on the black, red and white beaches, or why not take a kaiki (traditional Greek fishing boat) over to the volcanic islands for a swim in the hot springs? The island's delicious cuisine, whitewashed houses that gleam in the bright Aegean sun, narrow cobblestone streets and world-renowned sunsets all combine to make Santorini a truly unique holiday experience.(Buffet Breakfast)

Day: 14

Flight to Athens.

In the morning, maybe take one last dip in the pool and grab your final glimpse over the lustrous Aegean and world-famous caldera. You are transferred to the airport for your return flight to Athens.(Buffet Breakfast)

Day: 15

Depart Athens.

Your journey comes to an end with a transfer to Athens airport.(Buffet Breakfast)